Creative Use of CCTV in the Workplace

Posted on July 27, 2011 by watchd57

Security is not the only reason to install a CCTV DVR system.

Closed circuit television is popping up in the workplace in many innovative ways.

Companies in Vancouver and the Lower Mainland often cite safety concerns respective of both their employees and the public. A well designed CCTV DVR installation can reduce overall operating costs and the likelihood of civil suit litigation.

In our last Blog we addressed using security cameras in a business location to identify “fake” accidents where con artists pretend to be injured on your property with the intent of suing you for damages.

We also looked at workplace accidents caught on video involving employees.

A growing creative use of CCTV is the prevention of workplace accidents through the monitoring of the work practices of employees. Granted some workers or unions state that security cameras in the workplace are intrusive, but in most cases business owners act responsibly in the best interests of everyone who is in contact with their companies – employees and customers alike.

CCTV monitoring can be used to help develop best practices, and if introduced properly into the work environment can also be a welcomed new tool by employees. How you introduce this new tool to employees is important. If they show up for work one day and are surprised with a security camera monitoring their work environment, an employee would justifiably be upset.

However, when a business owner is sensitive to their workers and introduce the idea in a transparent manner that describes the benefits for all concerned, it not only makes it easier for the employee to accept, it is possible to have the employee contribute to the development so they recognize they are an active participant and not merely a subject. The employee will have a sense they have ownership of the evolution and are not merely a pawn in the system.

Businesses change every day. It’s how they stay competitive, and if using a video camera to improve workflow, safety, or efficiency helps a company remain profitable and in business then it benefits everyone including the employee.

The west coast in North America is often a seat of innovation, and in regard to CCTV use, we also lead the way. In 2009 in California, the Metrolink train system in Los Angeles installed two cameras in each of their locomotives that monitor activities in the cab. They also installed a third forward facing camera to monitor the track ahead of each locomotive.

One of the inside cameras is trained on the gauges and controls in the cab, and the other has a wide angle view that covers actions of employees operating the locomotive, engineers in particular.

The CCTV monitoring system was installed as a result of a fatal crash in 2008 after a Metrolink engineer using a cell phone while operating a locomotive failed to see a red switching signal. Twenty-five people were killed and over one hundred injured.

After the cameras were installed, the union for Metrolink engineers launched a lawsuit claiming the CCTV system was intrusive, and in June 2011 a LA County Superior Court Judge dismissed the claim citing there was no evidence cameras violate train engineers’ constitutional right to privacy and due process.

After the decision, Rail Authority Board Chairman Richard Kratz stated “We’re pleased that the state courts have joined the federal courts in allowing our pioneer camera program to move forward.”

Albert Einstein said it best, “Necessity is the mother of all invention.”

Sometimes you have to be innovative just to survive.

If you have a unique idea regarding the use of a CCTV and DVR system consult a professional who has extensive experience regarding not only the technical elements, but who can also give you a heads up regarding the legal and psychological challenges you might encounter, and who can help turn your idea into a feasible reality. Security camera installation companies obviously can’t give you legal advice, but they can make you aware of sensitive issues and possibly offer solutions in order to stay compliant with local laws.

Get creative with CCTV in your workplace!

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Protect Your Business. Protect Your Profit!

Posted on July 20, 2011 by watchd57

Protect Your Business from Unforeseen Events

You want your business to be protected, but there are many situations you cannot foresee.

If your business is open to the public, you expect some amount of shoplifting and some employee theft or even vandalism.

Most businesses purchase security camera systems based on foreseen circumstances. But there are many situations owners do not anticipate, which can cause great stress and unexpected expense.

Security cameras help reduce this stress by providing strong evidence of the events that actually occurred.

Today, there are many people who take advantage of a situation and make money off of it. For example, a bar owner was slapped with a lawsuit when a customer claimed he was assaulted by a bouncer after his group was kicked out of the bar. Cameras provided clear evidence the bouncer did not assault the patron and that the patron was in fact fine as he walked away down the block.

The fake “slip and fall” is another scam that it is becoming increasingly more common.

In this link two women were caught faking a slip and fall and requesting compensation from the store.

Without security cameras, there would have been no proof these women were lying and the store owner would likely have had to provide them with some sort of compensation.

In another similar case a man in a local fast food restaurant was caught on the security CCTV system purposely spilling his beverage, walking through it, and then pretending to slip and fall. Again, without a camera DVR system, the restaurant owner would have not known it was a set-up.

Security camera systems can also provide evidence for workplace accidents.
It helps the business, the employees and in some extreme cases, the insurance companies assess more accurately what happened.

A workplace explosion was caught on CCTV and provides an impactful example to workers why safety training is so important. Because this is an actual incident, employees are more likely to follow the safety standards to avoid devastating consequences.

In cases like this forklift accident , the security camera footage can become a valuable tool to help train staff on what to do and how to avoid accidents.

Security cameras can be used as a tool that goes far beyond its intended purpose of monitoring for theft. By having a professionally designed and installed system in place you can protect your business from unforeseen circumstances by providing actual video evidence that will identify scams and the culprits in action, and hold up in court.

Protect your business. Protect your employees. Protect your profit!

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Looting of London Drugs & The Bay During Vancouver Riots

Posted on June 24, 2011 by watchd57

Security cameras in retail locations are primarily meant to record shoplifting, and the occasional robbery, but in Vancouver, CCTV DVR security systems worked overtime during hockey riots that violently erupted after game seven of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

When the Vancouver Canucks lost in a 4-0 defeat against the Boston Bruins, downtown Vancouver crowds started simmering immediately and soon grew very violent. What started out as rowdy chanting and a bit of pushing and shoving quickly turned into wanton destruction of downtown businesses as a crowd of over 100,000 created havoc for large and small business alike.

The economic damage alone is estimated to be in the millions.


Smaller retail locations like Megabite pizza and Blenz coffee had windows smashed and furniture destroyed, while larger retailers like London Drugs and The Bay not only had huge windows smashed, but they also experienced serious property damage and major looting of merchandise. Many cars were flipped over and torched, including police cruisers.

Within a week one hundred and seventeen people were arrested, some of them identified by riot watchers on the streets using cell phones to record the mayhem. Amateur shooters and riot voyeurs captured hockey fans smashing windows, overturning and setting cars ablaze, fighting, and creating general havoc.

Politicians and the police asked for the public’s help in identifying rioters and looters by posting their video and pictures online in sites viewable to the public, and then later asked people to send their images directly to a law enforcement website set up to store and review the imagery exclusively by police.

It soon turned into Wild West vigilante justice.

Many of the rioters exposed on video received death threats and went into hiding.

It will be interesting to see how many of the resulting charges will hold up in court and gain a conviction.

It is one thing for a person to use their cell phone to catch a rioter in the act, and yet another to get a conviction. We have strict laws in Canada that define exactly how a picture or video is deemed legally accurate and admissible in court.

Continuity is critically important when using video to obtain a conviction. The Crown has to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that what you see occurring on a video is what actually transpired. Many issues have to be taken into account, like lighting, angle, and also intent. Just because you record someone running from a crime scene does not make them guilty of committing a crime, especially during a riot.

They could have been running away from rioters and in fear of their lives.

Getting a conviction using video evidence is harder to do than most people think. It is for this reason that when you are planning your CCTV DVR system you have to take a wide variety of issues into account.

Many of the videos seen online are low resolution, which makes it impossible to identify the culprits. There are very few clear videos, and it is important to note that it is these high res clear videos that cause suspects to turn themselves in.

Only clear images will lead to convictions, all the rest, many of which are fuzzy or in silhouette will have little value in a court of law.

Large retailers like London Drugs and The Bay use professionally designed and installed video monitoring systems, and at the end of the day it is these system that will be able to faithfully document a chain of events and the continuity needed in court to convict and put rioters and looters in jail. Many small companies do the same for the same reason, but it is obvious that not enough were prepared because they are now desperately relying on video shot by amateurs. Businesses big or small need convictions in order to stop crime.

Emotion played a role in both starting the Vancouver riots and in haphazardly capturing the criminals, but you need more than a last minute reactive response to protect your property. In order to be effective, security plans have to be proactive and well thought out from an intellectual perspective to ensure justice is served.

All those people shooting hand held video don’t realise it yet, but when the cases come to court, the defence could demand that the video-taper show up and under oath explain in detail what they recorded. Witnesses are often made to look like fools in the hands of a good defense lawyer, so it is hard to say at this point if they will even take the time, let alone risk the consequences.

Without strong supporting evidence charges could be dropped.

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Megapixel Security Cameras – BIG Picture – Cost Effective

Posted on June 17, 2011 by watchd57

Megapixel security cameras are digital cameras with high resolution.

They can be used indoors or out, and are relatively new on the CCTV security scene.

On average they range from 1.3 megapixels to 10 mps resolution and higher.

Megapixel security cameras are used in big and small BC cities like Vancouver, Surrey, Richmond, Langley, and the entire Lower Mainland by a wide variety of businesses like retail, bars, commercial, industrial, etc.

Lower resolution cameras must monitor smaller viewing areas than megapixel cameras for the same result. For example a standard resolution security camera might be 640 pixels wide, while a megapixel camera could be five or more times that size. You can even purchase panoramic and pan/tilt/zoom models, but keep in mind you will need a compatible DVR and one with a large enough hard drive or series of drives to accommodate the larger files sizes a HD or megapixel security camera produces.

Multi-Megapixel security cameras offer a couple of advantages over fixed focal length standard resolution cameras, and they can be, but are usually not the only camera used in a security system.

Even though they reduce the number of cameras in your security system, they can add considerable flexibility. Megapixel cameras are more expensive to purchase per unit, but with careful planning they can help reduce overall costs, including installation. When one megapixel camera is put into service to do the job of two standard cameras it reduces the amount of cabling and installation time.

A megapixel camera will allow you to monitor a larger physical space, which means for example you can monitor a parking lot using only two cameras instead of eight.

You can digitally magnify select areas of the screen when you need more detail, without using a zoom lens. Unlike a camera with a zoom lens, a megapixel camera can still record the whole area while it is zoomed in. As well, unlike a a PTZ camera, a megapixel camera can zoom in after the incident. 

Megapixel cameras are useful for monitoring lobbies in public buildings, or parking lots, and manufacturing facilities – places where you need to switch quickly and easily between a wider panoramic view to a more detailed rendering.

When used in conjunction with a standard resolution security camera they offer increased flexibility to monitor an event from more than one perspective, and at a wider view or closer range depending on your requirements.

With the proper software you can also select more than two fields of view simultaneously from the same camera.

A trained security system operator can adjust on-the-fly a megapixel camera in a live situation, but because the resolution of a megapixel camera is so high, when used with an unmonitored NVR – network video recorder, you can view the recording at a later time and zoom in digitally on an area of interest.

A megapixel camera is ideal to view an overview of a large parking lot, and when required, capable of zooming in digitally on alerts, faces, or license plates. It can deliver enough information for facial recognition software to be used effectively. Facial recognition requires 120 pixels per square foot of resolution.

If you choose the right megapixel camera, install and configure it properly, enough detail can be collected to provide the police and law enforcement agencies with the required information to lay a charge and get a conviction.

Call us at 604.555-1001 if you have megapixel camera questions, or email us!

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Trade Secrets of Pan Tilt Zoom Security Cameras – PTZ

Posted on June 15, 2011 by watchd57

The question, “Is a pan-tilt zoom camera a viable alternative for your security system” is hard to answer without knowing your exact requirements.

Pan tilt zoom cameras definitely have their uses, but in general they are overused.

Theoretically, the PTZ idea is great, but their practical applications are limited, which is why in our two decades in the security industry we rarely recommend their use, and when we do install them it is for highly specialised performance.

As mentioned in a previous post, a PTZ camera is almost useless without a trained operator to focus in on areas of interest. Even then, when the operator is focused on one area, something that should be observed or recorded may be happening in another area.

There are a couple of solutions for this;

  1. Install less expensive stationary cameras to continually monitor the areas of interest and use the PTZ camera to zoom in on areas of major interest while still recording the whole area.
  2. Use a megapixel security camera which allows the operator to zoom in digitally while still recording the whole area.

Another consideration is, if you leave a panning camera on a constant pan or a programmed tour, the camera constantly creates video motion, which greatly reduces the recording time and increases your review time. A double whammy!

If you leave a security camera on a constant pan or tour and an alert occurs, you may need to review hours of video hoping the camera recorded the incident even though it is possible the camera was pointed in the wrong direction at a critical time.

For example, I saw a recording of a man raising a hammer to a car window as the camera panned by. Did he break into the car? You bet he did.

Would he be convicted in a court of law? Not likely!

Panning can destroy continuity necessary for a charge or a conviction.

With a stationary security camera you immediately know whether or not an incident is in the camera’s field of view so you can review just the motion on that one camera in the critical area.

Some pan tilt zoom cameras can be programmed to follow movement, and some of course do this better than others, but it gets really complicated when there are two or more movements in the field of view. Different cameras behave differently; when they are zoomed in, most cameras will never see the additional targets.

Again this is an area where a megapixel camera with good video analytics may be a much wiser choice.

Some quality megapixel security cameras (and some megapixel software) can be programmed to create multiple windows with multiple zoomed in images while still recording the whole field of view.

Some panning cameras can also be connected to alarms in various areas. For example a door could be alarmed so that the camera focuses on that door when it is opened. Once again, this is a great feature until there are two alarmed areas at the same time.

As you can see, PTZ cameras can be quite complex, which translates into expensive.

Like modern cars with all the options, the complexity and features of panning cameras also means much more can go wrong, and repairs, when possible, can be expensive.

Most pan tilt zoom cameras in need of repair will have to be shipped back to the manufacturer at the buyer’s expense. This of course leaves you without coverage while you wait for your camera to be returned, and even without the camera you may still be paying an operator.

CCTV suppliers do not usually offer loaners for panning cameras because there are too many different types, and loaners would again add to your cost.

As with all cameras, PTZ cameras especially require proper installation.

Exterior pan tilt zoom cameras often require a lift rather than a ladder to install and service, adding greatly to the cost, while usually, a stationery camera can be installed and serviced from a ladder.

Field of view and environmental considerations are of course also important as we mentioned in a previous post, but another difficult challenge is the proper programming of the camera.

Poor installation or programming will greatly reduce the
effectiveness and value of your Pan Tilt Zoom Security Camera.

Panning cameras are more expensive than stationery cameras, consequently, they are more tempting for thieves, which means they are also much more difficult and expensive to secure than armoured dome cameras.

Some cameras, including pan tilt zoom cameras are often sold as “vandal proof.” Unfortunately, that’s a myth. Vandal resistant is more realistic.

And height isn’t always the answer. A thief in Surrey rappelled from the roof of a taller building to steal a relatively inexpensive stationery camera that was installed thirty-five feet in the air.

I know of cases where cameras were stolen using common gardening tools, and also of expensive panning cameras stolen in less than two minutes from ground level with items available in your local hardware store for about thirty dollars, tools which they probably stole too.

In conclusion;

Panning cameras have their place, however, before investing, carefully consider the results you require and how the camera will be used.

PTZ cameras are more expensive to purchase, secure, install, and service than stationery cameras, and because of moving parts, PTZ cameras are more likely to break down.

As always when investing in security cameras it is a good idea to talk to a professional. Find one who has experience with pan, tilt, zoom cameras and ensure you have a thorough understanding of their pros and cons.

It is critical to really carefully consider the results you are looking for because there may be less expensive and/or more effective ways to obtain the same outcome.

Also read: Is a PTZ Camera Right for My Business?

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Is a PTZ Security Camera Right for My Business?

Posted on May 30, 2011 by watchd57

There is a lot of confusion today concerning PTZ on CCTV security systems.

Too many fly-by-night companies irresponsibly recommend PTZ for their proprietary DVR systems. These companies create a lot of noise that makes it difficult to separate fact from fiction.

PTZ – Pan Tilt Zoom cameras are confusing to understand and use, so before you invest in them, make sure you talk to someone knowledgeable first.

On first inspection, a PTZ sounds like the perfect solution for someone trying to monitor a larger area, and they do work extremely well in some circumstances. However, you also have to consider the added complexity and cost. For the inexperienced they are tricky to set up and can be expensive, and in some cases the cost will not return your investment.

For starters, pan, tilt, and zoom features usually require a trained onsite operator to manage the controls. And although there are also PTZ cams that automatically track moving objects, they are best used in only very special applications.

In most cases, a PTZ cam needs a trained person on location holding the stick, which means you need a very specific use in order to justify the added expense of a live operator.

PTZ cams are incredibly complicated, both technically and mechanically.

They can be hardwired or wireless, which adds layers of complexity to the equation, but the big issue is the mechanics needed to move the camera around on its access. They all require servo motors, gears, and special housings, which when you add it all up can easily triple the cost compared to a fixed camera.

Mounting alone poses a considerable challenge especially for amateurs or inexperienced installers.

Expensive PTZ units are also high targets for theft, which means that mounting and securing the rig takes added thought and work.

Improperly mounting a PTZ cam can increase the payload on critical moving parts like gears and bearings, and cause the mechanics to wear out prematurely. For example, a PTZ designed to work on a ceiling, but mounted on a wall creates added stress on components not meant for vertical movement. It doesn’t take long for gears to fail and create jumpy imagery. It might even damage the motor and seize up entirely.

There are also environmental issues to consider, like moisture, heat, and cold. PTZ cams that are operated outdoors or in unheated warehouses can overheat in the summer and freeze in the winter. Rain, especially driving rain can play havoc on the delicate mechanisms if moisture penetrates the seals.

Hardwired PTZ configurations are more stable, but sometimes a wireless set up is necessary. In this case the distance between the CCTV and the controlling keyboard is critical. If the antenna is not aimed properly or placed optimally, or the distance is too great, you might be required to add a repeater, which increases your costs. Also, as the camera turns and pivots it could hide the antenna from the receiver causing dropout of the signal. Planning is critical in this regard, and for an inexperienced installer it is often a frustrating trial and error challenge to get a wireless PTZ cam working properly at all angles. Also, atmospheric noise caused by nature or manmade frequencies impacts the clarity of signal. It’s important to install the receiver and transmitter (which is usually attached to the camera), far enough away from electrical disturbances. Sometimes even metal framework will cause interference.

As you can see, PTZ CCTV creates a host of challenges that make it incredibly difficult, if not impossible for an inexperienced technician to install. And although they work well in some specialised environments, the planning and installation is not something an amateur should undertake, especially when the CCTV needs to protect valuable property or provide safety for animals or people.

Before you even consider a PTZ cam you would be well advised to consult with a professional security camera installation company that has extensive experience. They can first help you decide if this complex product is right for you, and if it is, they can give you good advice regarding which models to use, where to mount them, and how to install a PTZ camera so it works properly over the long term.

Also Read: Is a Pan Tilt Zoom Camera Worth the Expense?

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High Concentration of Ex-Cons = High Crime

Posted on May 11, 2011 by watchd57

British Columbia is often thought of as a hippie dippy peace loving region of Canada, and in some respects it is, but unfortunately there is another side to the Lower Mainland that reflects a high concentration of parolees, ex-convicts, and criminals.

New Westminster has one of the highest number of federal parolees per capita than anywhere in Canada. It is second only behind frontrunner, Victoria, BC.

Not a good record to be sure, because along with this high concentration of criminals comes high crime rates. Interestingly though, the government claims parolees are not responsible for increased crime, even though common sense, and local newspapers, The Vancouver Sun specifically (which did extensive research), reports otherwise.

It’s also common knowledge that many convicts come out of prison smarter criminals than when they went in. There is lots to be learned sitting in stir for five years at the U of I – University of Incarceration. Some criminals go in as high school dropouts, and a few years later are paroled with MBA degrees in BE & T – Break, Enter & Theft.

According to an article in The Sun newspaper, “there are so many ex-cons living in Victoria and New West that their share of parolees is more than six times the national average.”

Vancouver businesses are in a constant fight to protect their properties.

Smart criminals means business owners have to be even smarter.

Chilliwack and Prince George also have more than three times the national average of parolees. New Westminster’s and Chilliwack’s per capita rate of parolees is 167 and 94 respective per 100,000 population, while the national average is only 25.

Why do so many ex-convicts live in BC?

It is tied to the number of prisons, half-way houses, and parole offices.

Full day parolees can live wherever they want, but they often settle where they were first paroled, which often means an introduction into the community near the prison on a half-day bases. A half-day parole means the convict has to return to the half way house each night, which means they get used to living in the area, and when they receive a full parole it is an easy transition to stay put. They make community ties through education and jobs that they don’t want to give up.

A convict who is incarcerated for an extended time probably has family move close to the prison so partners and kids can visit more easily, which means the entire family lays down new roots, including kids in schools and spouses with jobs.

It’s also important to note that after spending a few years in a federal prison, criminals often grow hardened, and many of them also become violent.

Hardened criminals translates into thieves who are knowledgeable about the intricacies of burglaries and robberies. Hardened criminals don’t just show up on a whim to rob you. They plan, carefully, by first visiting your premises to judge the ease or difficulty of getting away with a crime against you.

If they see easy-pickens, you can be sure they will be back at the right time and with the right knowledge and tools to steal from you.

Hardened criminals can spot a poorly designed and installed CCTV and DVR security system a mile away. If it looks like you bought it off the shelf and installed it yourself you move to the top of their Criminal Hit List.

Businesses down the road with robust systems will prove to be too great a risk, so they are passed by in the night and criminals target you instead.

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Security System Installation – Amateur vs Professional

Posted on April 27, 2011 by watchd57

Everyone wants to save a buck, but at the end of the day all that counts is the amount of money left in your bank account.

One of the biggest problems today in the CCTV security camera industry is the proliferation of cheap video equipment and amateur installations.

Saving money doesn’t sound like a problem, but unfortunately, business owners everywhere are being inundated with CHEAP CHEAP CHEAP camera deals.

And we mean CHEAP as in INFERIOR!

Buying a CCTV security system in a big city like Vancouver, which is a port city,  is especially challenging because of the overabundance of junk being dumped in the Lower Mainland from China. Granted, high quality components also arrive from Asia, but they are incredibly difficult to identify unless you have considerable knowledge.

They all look the same on the surface, but once you open the box and peel back the wrapper you’ll often discover poor workmanship and substandard components.

Gullible business owners too often jump at what they think is a bargain, only to realise after they’ve been robbed that the old saying is true – You Get What You Pay For!

You can’t blame a business that wants to save money. It’s a tough economy, but when you take into consideration the losses a company suffers as a result of inferior security equipment, it makes no sense to simply grab the first deal that comes along.

There are two problems with making a purchase decision based solely on cost.

First, the components used in cheap DVR systems are not reliable. Not only do they have a very short performance period, they also do not deliver the results necessary for law enforcement to get a conviction. If the image is grainy or blurry the police won’t even consider helping you catch the bad guys. Why should they? They figure if you aren’t prepared to invest in protecting your business properly, why should they waste taxpayer money chasing unidentifiable ghost images?

Replacing cheap equipment when it prematurely breaks down with more cheap equipment is also very costly over the long term in both the cost of the gear and especially in the time it takes to remount and wire the system. Cheap CCTV and DVR gear only gives you a false sense of security and does little to protect your profit.

The second major problem is that business owners who buy cheap and inexpensive equipment also make the foolish mistake of trying to install it themselves. They often hire an inexperienced handyman with a ladder who doesn’t know what he is doing. A handyman might be able to attach an infrared camera to a wall, but he certainly won’t have the expertise required to protect it properly from the elements to protect it from being damaged, or worse, stolen.  

Business owners who only focus on the lowest price for a CCTV or DVR always end up paying a premium in the long run. Not only does the equipment let them down by not recording the crime properly, cheap security equipment often places their employees in dangerous situations.

A chain is only as strong as its weakest link also applies to security systems.

Inexperienced installers often don’t even know what gauge of wire is required to get a cheap camera to perform at its peak, which is critical when you are already handicapped with inferior equipment. It’s like adding insult to injury.

Small things like where or how you mount the camera, or place the DVR make all the difference regarding capturing an identifiable image, not to mention ease of use. If you make a mistake the system won’t perform, and in a month or two you will be back up on a ladder trying to figure out if you even bought a camera with the proper lens.

Also, if you put the DVR in the wrong area or mount it improperly the thief could take it with him when he leaves. No DVR = no evidence = no police help = no conviction

When you take into consideration the precious lives and the thousands of dollars your security camera system has to protect, it makes no sense to go cheap in an area where results are all that matter. In fact, it is irresponsible.

CCTV and DVR Security System Installations

Here’s what happens when amateurs install cheap security systems:

A Cheap Security Camera Installation

Stealing Cameras - Second time from the same location!

Results of a POOR Security Camera Installation

Who Is the Real Idiot Here?

This Guy simply reaches up and snatches the camera

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Clear Video Footage Needed for Conviction

Posted on April 7, 2011 by watchd57

Clear video of a crime increases conviction rates dramatically.

Unfortunately, producing a clear security image is easier said than done.

Quite often we see on TV or read in the newspaper that a business was robbed and police would like the public’s help identifying suspects. The news publication then posts a still picture or video of the crime in progress.

Most of the time the image is so blurry or grainy it is impossible to recognize anyone, even if the criminal is a close relative. It is this type of video footage that causes confusion about the effectiveness of CCTV and DVR systems.

You can’t catch a thief if you can’t clearly see the culprit!

The key is to design and install a security system that actually provides a clear rendering of the people in the crime location.

Too many shop owners try to save a few dollars by purchasing the cheapest system they can find. Some even use fake cameras, which in some cases can be effective, but at the end of the day when the police show up at your crime scene looking for evidence to use in court, a fake camera or bad footage can’t help you.

Police might not even take you seriously unless you can provide an accurate description of people and events. It’s no secret eye witnesses often confuse what they see or hear. Our minds play tricks on us when we are under stress, plus many people pay little attention to their surroundings in the first place. A robbery can happen right in front of them and some won’t even realise what occurred.

The truth is that a good security system will not only help you get a conviction, but it can also prevent a crime from taking place. When rowdy young people know a retail location is under video surveillance they won’t want to loiter. Video cameras and visible monitors are a huge deterrent that drives them down the block to another less protected location.

Moving troublesome people away from your premises is the first step in making it more comfortable for your customers and safer for everyone, including you and your employees.

Criminals do not want to see their pictures on the local news.

Crime erodes your profit, but still many business owners rely on old information regarding security recording systems. Well here’s the good news, like many things, technology has improved radically over the last few years, and security systems are much better today than they were yesterday.

The challenge however is designing and installing the right system for you and your premises. It’s hard to pick the right equipment when you have so much on the table in front of you from which to choose. In fact, the choices are overwhelming and often discourage business owners from making a decision, which unfortunately leaves them vulnerable. While you waver back and forth and procrastinate, criminals rob you blind. Thankfully there is a viable solution.

Talk to a security camera and DVR expert.

Contact a security company that has direct experience with your type of business and the challenges you face daily. Explain your concerns clearly and then carefully consider the advice they offer. A good company will never make you feel obligated to make a snap decision. Responsible security specialists will give you choices based on your needs and budget.

Make sure you check out the company you are considering. Ask how long have they been in business, who are some of their customers, why are they recommending specific  equipment, and where is it serviced?

 Beware of the the lowest priced company. They usually know what they’re worth.

Also ask if the recorder is easy to use. You will be amazed by how many salespeople can’t even figure out how to use the equipment they recommend.

Remember too, proper camera location and lenses are as important as the equipment.

Once you have all the information in front of you it is easier to make a sound decision that will protect your company and profits for a very long time.

All you have to do is pick up the phone and ask for a little advice.

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Video Analytics Stops Thieves BEFORE They Break In

Posted on March 19, 2011 by watchd57

 PART 1 … of 2

Video Analytics is the electronic science of recognizing, categorizing, and automatically acting upon the information your security camera and DVR system collects and records.

Security Cameras  (CCTV) and digital video recorders (DVR) are getting smarter due to new technology called video analytics, which is based on a simplified form of artificial intelligence.

Simple video motion detection has been around a long time, even with tape based security recorders, but like everything else in the security industry, new technological improvements have recently made systems more effective.

Simple video analytics recognizes motion in a scene by comparing a change in contrast of image pixels. With advanced VA, physical areas, like a parking lot, can be mapped and configured so a very specific type of motion triggers an alert (not an alarm, an alert). The sensitivity can be adjusted dependant on your requirements. Normally, this type of analytics is used to switch a DVR into record mode. Now, many things can trigger this type of recording, like vehicle head lights, passing police cars with flashing lights, animals, shadows, rain, blowing trees, and a wide variety of other activities.

An AI system reduces review time while increasing recording time. This new process ensures you won’t be woken up at three in the morning by rain hitting a security camera. A well designed and sophisticated Video Analytics system makes a huge difference in accuracy and peace of mind for the business owner.

Newer analytics evaluate motion with a high degree of certainty. For example, good analytics separates people, cars, and boats from other non-threatening background motion.

The following video demonstrates the mechanics of video analytics.
Only the motion in the red box triggers the recording and an alert.

http://www.youtube.com./watch?v=FbAWYB24Qdw

A professionally configured analytics system can recognize how long a subject is in an area, and based on this information then start recording, and/or set off an alarm if the subject either loiters too long, goes in a prohibited direction, or crosses an invisible “do not cross” line. Analytics can do other things as well, however it is the features described in this article that improve your security.

The following video illustrates a Loitering, or Dwell Time, configuration.

http://www.youtube.com./watch?v=Uvr2dF6enLA

Security Analytics has become so intelligent it actually learns and adjusts for distractions in an image that would normally set off an alarm.

Intelligent Off Site Video Audio Monitoring

A well designed off site monitoring station can be configured to improve your protection using video analytics to give you an edge over criminals.

 Old style and unsophisticated video monitoring stations often have the person who monitors incoming break-in alarms, also monitor live video feeds. As soon as two or more events occur the security person is forced to multitask on the fly, which makes it difficult, if not impossible to give video monitoring the required attention needed to be effective. Video analytics solves the problem by alerting the monitoring staff to high probability alerts.

Many monitoring stations also have one security person scan multiple screens.

According to a study conducted by Security Solutions magazine, “… after 12 minutes of continuous video monitoring a guard will miss up to 45% of screen activity, and after 22 minutes, up to 95% is overlooked.”

Poor lighting and bad weather add to this inherent human weakness, which makes it even more difficult for a person to monitor and recognize motion on a screen, much less across multiple screens.

The following videos illustrate LOW light and BAD weather video analytics.

Without automatic video analytics, it is highly unlikely a security person would have noticed the motion.

http://www.youtube.com./watch?v=iXf00upoz8I

http://www.youtube.com./watch?v=Eupbp7dpFzc

Click here for Part 2 of Video Analytics Stops Thieves BEFORE They Break In

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